New farmers, ranchers association started in Madison County

MADISON COUNTY - The Cattleman's Association is being revamped. The Madison County Sheriff wants to include farmers on being proactive against vandalism.

This Rexburg farm has been thriving since the 1940's. It belonged to Joel Ashton's father-in-law. They take pride in growing grain and potatoes every year. But farming itself can be expensive, and that's why Ashton has no tolerance for vandalism.

"I got kids at home. I don't want that kind of people hanging around our house and our equipment," said Ashton.

Ashton has seen quite a number of people on his land attempting to steal copper wire and farming equipment, which can cost over $3,000 to replace. That's why he says keeping good communication with Sheriff Roy Klingler has helped him in multiple cases.

"There was a really suspicious car that left the property. My first instinct was just to go home because it was late and I wanted to go to bed. But after talking to Roy, he says you know, go ahead and follow him. So I hopped in my pickup and followed him," said Ashton.

Ashton never caught up to the car, but he says he felt supported by Klingler's push to protect his family and property.

Klingler wants all farmers and ranchers to feel the same way, so that's why Sheriff Klingler is starting up the Madison County Sheriff's Office Farmers & Ranchers Association.

"We're going to talk about surveillance cameras, video systems, marking of tools, locking things up, and hiring we're also going to talk about hiring, and some very simple things they can do to check people's backgrounds," said Klingler.

And most importantly, build strong communication with all farmers and ranchers, to the point where they feel like they are a deputy themselves.

Klinger also wants to build strong communication with all farmers and ranchers, to the point where they feel like they are a deputy themselves.

"We want to bring up the awareness, we want to bring up the involvement, and we want to obviously lessen the crime rate," said Klingler.

The meeting times for the Farmers & Ranchers Association are:

Wednesday, Sept. 19, 8 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 11, 7 a.m.

Thursday, Oct. 25, 8 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 15, 7 a.m.

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